GREG TAYLOR admits he is now out of his comfort zone, but it was time “to take the jump” and leave Celtic.
The understated left-back won 11 honours, including five titles in his six years at the Hoops, but quit at the end of his contract to sign a three-year deal with Greek side PAOK.
Brendan Rodgers made it clear he wanted the defender to stay at the champions, but with the return of former fans’ favourite Kieran Tierney from Arsenal it seemed likely first-team appearances for Taylor may have been limited.
The Scotland international said: “The toughest decision I’ve had in my career, definitely. When I left Kilmarnock back in 2019, it was that bit easier because I was progressing.
BEST FOOT FORWARD…Greg Taylor in typical action pose.
“I wanted to go and try and play for the biggest team in Scotland.
“I think at that time there probably wasn’t many who believed I would play as many games as I did, but the one person who really did was myself. I was lucky to go and play 200-plus games for Celtic, which was unbelievable.
“It wasn’t easy. There were a million things to weigh up, but I just felt it was the right time to do it. There were so many factors, but the key one was I wanted to play regularly – and I felt that that was looking less likely at Celtic.”
Taylor, speaking to Sky Sports, continued: “I think there’s been competition for my place at Celtic in the whole six years I was there and it was not something I ever shirked from.
“I loved that, it drove me on, it helped me find my best level. So, no, I wouldn’t say it was particularly Kieran coming back. It was just that I felt that it was probably the right time for me to try something different.
“As the season went on it was looking more likely that I’d be leaving Celtic, so PAOK made a right effort to try and get me over there.
“Just to be shown that love, and the project, and with it being their 100-year anniversary next year, it was just clear it was a big club and an important season. So, I thought it was the time to take the jump.”
SILVER CELTS…Greg Taylor celebrates last season’s League Cup success with skipper Callum McGregor, one of the defender’s 11 honours at Celtic.
Taylor, who cost £2.1million when Neil Lennon bought him from the Rugby Park club, added: “At Celtic, I’ve been lucky enough to win a lot of titles, a lot of trophies and I think that is something that, especially in this season, the club are really eager to do.
“I think it’s a totally different culture, totally different league. It’s right out of my comfort zone, but I think it’s something I’m ready to try and it’s exciting.
“There were a few other clubs as well who we had some talks with, but it was just probably the amount of effort that PAOK put in to try and convince me to be part of their club that probably made the decision all that bit easier.
“It is going to be different, but I don’t think you gain anything sitting in your comfort zone, so I thought, why not go and try something?”
Over the years, Taylor has had to fight off the likes of Boli Bolingoli, a £3million arrival from Vienna Rapid in 2019, and Diego Laxalt, the loan signing from AC Milan a year later.
Those battling qualities will stand him in good stead in the next chapter of his football journey.
